Holidaymakers warned to be wary of approaches from unscrupulous claims firms
Holidaymakers are being urged to be wary of approaches from individuals or companies encouraging them to submit exaggerated or false holiday sickness claims.
ABTA issued a warning after research found that 70% of Brits don’t realise that making a false claim for holiday sickness could result in a prison sentence in the UK or abroad and just 38% think offenders could receive a fine.
ABTA believes the 5 million people who will take an all-inclusive holiday this summer are particularly at risk of being targeted by unscrupulous claims management companies.
There was a 500% rise in sickness claims by British holidaymakers between 2013 and 2016, even though the number of reports in resort remained the same.
There was no significant rise among other nationalities.
Following fierce campaigning by ABTA, the travel industry and hoteliers, courts are now taking false sickness claims very seriously and have recently handed out hefty fines, community service and even prison sentences.
The UK Government has also agreed to introduce a ban on cold calling by claims companies.
However, the ban doesn’t come into force until April 2019 so ABTA is concerned that unscrupulous firms will continue to target holidaymakers in the meantime.
Chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "Anyone making a false sickness claim runs the risk of a criminal record, substantial fine or a custodial sentence.
"Judges are now sending out a very clear message that they will severely punish anyone found guilty of submitting an exaggerated or false claim. If you do legitimately fall ill on holiday, contact your rep or the hotel management who will help you obtain medical assistance."
ABTA advised holidaymakers who genuinely fall ill on holiday to contact their holiday rep or hotel management immediately to obtain the appropriate medical assistance.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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